South Korea – Tour

Meet at LAX as a group ready to depart on the flight to Seoul, South Korea.

Afternoon          Arrive in South Korea

Evening              Check into Hotel – Eat dinner as a in “Gwang-Jang Market” to our plan- the oldest and largest traditional street market in Korea.

Morning – Afternoon

For immediate immersion into Korean history, take the trip north to the demilitarized zone along the border with South Korea’s northern neighbor. The DMZ is a 250 km long, 4 km wide buffer zone between North and South Korea. Visit sites such as the Joint Security Area where we will stand inside of North Korea, and the infiltration tunnels discovered by South Korea fifty years ago.

At Imjingak Park, home to many monuments of the Korean War, cross the Bridge of Freedom, formerly a railroad bridge bringing back POWs from the North. Also visit the Tunnel of Aggression, an infiltration built by North Korea and intercepted by South Korea in the 1970s.

Evening

Return to Seoul via the Heyri Art Valley. 40 museums, art galleries, exhibition spaces, and bookstores fill this artistic town. Enjoy dinner here before returning to Seoul for the night.

Visit Running Man Insandong, Insa-dong market

Morning

Today explore Seoul, where we will find high-tech urban environments alongside ancient East Asian cultural traditions. Head to the site of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the northern palace beside Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace). The former was built in 1395 as the royal residence during the Joseon dynasty. At the beginning of the 20th Century, much of the palace was destroyed by imperial Japan, but has since been renovated, restoring it to its unrivalled grandeur and beauty. Don’t miss the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony.

While here, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to learn about different ways of lives of Korean citizens through the ages.

Afternoon          Spend the afternoon at Korea University Business School, where we will tour the campus, including the Hyundai Motor Hall and the LG-POSCO Building.

Evening              Afterwards, head to a restaurant in the bustling Myeong-Dong shopping district. Return to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

Morning – Afternoon     After breakfast, head to Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil for shopping along the tree-lined, fashionable streets. Enjoy a tour focused on Gangnam style, through K-Star Road, Seorae Village, and Some Sevit islands with beautiful lights and plenty of restaurants and shops. In the Gangnam neighbourhood, there is also one of the main K-pop entertainment industry companies. Tour SM Entertainment, including its hollogram theatre and lifestyle shop.

Evening              Dinner as a group. Attend a Sporting event like a Soccer or Baseball Game – TBD

Morning              After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head to the station to catch the train across the country to Gyeongju, former capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD).

Afternoon          Arrive in the city, known as “the museum without walls” in time for lunch. Head directly to Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond on the outskirts of the city. This was the seat of power in the Silla kingdom. Afterwards, head out of the city to Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, located on Tohamsan Mountain. These UNESCO World Heritage sites tell of the 8th Century history of Silla.

Evening              Check into the hotel in Gyeongju and enjoy dinner in the city.

Morning              After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head north to Andong, centre of Korean folklore and folk traditions.

Afternoon – Evening

Spend the day at the Hahoe Folk Village, ‘Village Enveloped by Water’, with its many traditional thatched cottages and its exhibitions of Andong masks, which are also showcased annually at a mask dance festival. Here, climb Buyongdae Cliff and the surrounding mountain recreational forests for wonderful views. Take a boat ride for panoramic views over the beaches around the village.

In the evening, stay in a traditional guesthouse and make sure to try local delicacies such as Heotjesabap (a type of Bibimbap eaten by the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo (salted mackerel), and Andong Guksu (a kind of noodle dish).

Morning              Say goodbye to our Andong Hahoe Folk Village hosts and head to the other side of the city to Dosanseowon Confucian School. Established in 1574 during the Joseon dynasty, the school was an academic centre where students came to learn about Confucianism.

Afternoon          Head back to Seoul.

Evening              Arrive in the city in time for a Korean cooking class. Learn how to make traditional dishes such as cabbage kimchi, mandu dumplings, or seafood pancake.

Morning              Check out and depart for the airport, for the short flight to Jeju Island.

Afternoon          Arrive in the top holiday destination of South Korea, Jeju Island, with its rolling fields and beautiful mountain walks. Check in to hotel, freshen up, and then explore the volcanic city of Seogwipo. Visit Lee Jung-Seop Art Gallery & Park and enjoy a traditional tea house.

Evening              In the late afternoon / evening, head up into Hallasan National Park for sunset views. Return to the city for dinner.

Morning              Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer up the coast to Seongsan Ilchul-bong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic extinct volcano.

Afternoon          In the afternoon, enjoy a two-three hour hike in Hallasan National Park. Expect breathtaking views, waterfalls, and wild flowers.

Evening              Visit Cheonjeyeon Waterfall and then return to the city for dinner and free time, enjoying our final night together in Korea.

Morning              Depart home after an incredible trip to South Korea together.

Evening              Arrive back home ready to share newfound knowledge and experiences with family and friends back home.